1. Building a Vibrant Community 101:
An Overview of the Journey

WHO: Interested community members
WHAT: This is an overview of the factors that went into building our vibrant community. Pensacola is positioned to become a national learning lab for how to build a vibrant community. You’ll get a historical overview of our progress, as well as learn the strategies we used for managing the psychological aspects of change, building a vibrant downtown, galvanizing the small business community, and more.

2. The Engaged and Empowered Citizen:
Why It’s Time to Become One (and How to Do It)

WHO: Interested community members
WHAT: Engagement matters more than ever. No community can truly effect change unless it’s citizen-powered. Learn what engagement looks like in action and how to improve your own engagement so you can make a real difference in creating a thriving community. Also, gain strategies for engaging others.

This course will focus on topics like:

• The characteristics of an engaged city.
• Unique ways to get better connected to your community.
• How to advocate for meaningful change.
• What engaged (responsive) local government looks like.
• An overview of public record laws and what to do if your requests are not being responded to promptly.
• What real transparency looks like.
• Characteristics of an inclusive community.
• What you may want to know about running for a local office.
• Ten questions you should ask your local leaders.
• How to be an ambassador for your city. What can you do to make Pensacola the best it can be?
• Creating the true spirit of community. Every child is yours. Every neighborhood is yours.
• Citizens own this city; act like an owner.

3. The Next-Level Neighborhood Organization:
Why It’s Time to Become One (and How to Do It)

WHO: Interested community members belonging to neighborhood organizations and those who want to create an organization
WHAT: Everywhere we look we see the high cost of community breakdowns. Many of the fixes we’re searching for must take place from the inside out. When neighbors band together, amazing things can happen. Neighborhood organizations can make a big difference. Learn how to create a group, grow your group, become more effective, and drive sustainable change in your community.

This course will focus on topics like:

• How to build a strong neighborhood association.
• How to collect ideas from your community.
• How to conduct a neighborhood needs assessment.
• How to get started on hot-button issues.
• Barriers to change and how to break through them.
• How to deal with red tape.
• How to drive community engagement.
• How to build strategic partnerships.
• How to effectively communicate with stakeholders.
• Local incentives for your neighborhood you may not be aware of.
• Capturing the youth: why your community needs young people and how to attract and engage them.